WWE Raw Review - 1st September 2008

With one week to go until Unforgiven I was excited to see what was going to happen on Raw although this week’s episode was a pre-record so wouldn’t have the normal live feeling which makes Raw stand out from it’s competitors.

Good Points

Returning Stars

Instead of the weeks of build that TNA does for it’s returning stars WWE surprised us this week with no build Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio made their returns to Raw. Randy still claiming to be injured and probably still is didn’t wrestle but came to give a damning promo on the current state of WWE and Rey Mysterio made a surprise entrance at the conclusion of the main event to attack Kane. In the long run I always think it is better to surprise people and not have big builds for returns as it adds to the spontaneity of the show and that feeling that anything can happen. To add to this we also saw the return of Candice Michelle.

Great psychology between HBK and Jericho

These two will be forever famed for their Wrestlemania match but the great thing with the feud this time round is they are getting to do a great and heated storyline to build up to their PPV match. I always think the champion should be pushed the most but am glad if they aren’t doing that, that this match is getting all the time and attention. The only problem on Raw was that Michaels tore his tricep which may have a huge impact on the quality of their match at Unforigiven.

Kane getting the push

Kane is being put over as a likely winner of the scramble match at Unforgven as he got three big segments on Raw and was the winner of the Battle Royal main event on Raw. Personally I don’t think he is right to be champion and I don’t think they will give the belt to him but it is good that they are making him believable as a possible title winner.

Bad Points

Batista pushed to the side

With being the main babyface of Raw and the main face of the advertising of Unforgiven I thought they would be giving Batista an actual storyline or feud to go in to the main event with as at the moment we have the JBL/Punk feud and the Kane/Mysterio feud with Batista just making up the numbers so it would seem. Saying this it probably means he will win the belt on Sunday.

Too much time given to ECW stars

This week we had an ECW Battle Royal, a tag match featuring Morrison and The Miz as well as backstage time for Teddy Long. If Raw are doing a crossover storyline with ECW then yes have their stars on the show but if not it makes no sense.

Overall

For a show that wasn’t live it was brilliant, lacked focus at times but worked brilliantly at getting done what was needed to be done. I am now looking forward to Unforgiven it’s just a shame about Shawn Michaels injury as I was really looking forward to his match with Jericho.